Homewood Wins Round One Thriller Over Athens 31-24

HOMEWOOD, AL – In a thrilling back-and-forth Class 6A first-round playoff matchup, the Homewood Patriots (9-2) season continues with a 31-24 win over the Athens Golden Eagles Friday night at Waldrop Stadium.

Athens struck first, lighting up the Bob Newton Field scoreboard with a 56-yard touchdown pass from Grady Sullivan to Xavier Edwards early in the first quarter. Homewood quickly countered on their initial drive as junior quarterback Kaleb Carson connected with Kylen Newell for a 2-yard score.

The Eagles regained the lead early in the second period with a 33-yard strike from Brogan Gross to Damarcus Malone. Homewood answered back as Carson called his own number, sprinting into the endzone from just outside the Golden Eagle five yard line to tie the game at 14 apiece. Athens returned the favor two plays later, with Gross capping a 61 yard drive with a 27 yard scoring run. Whit Armistead split the uprights from 42 yards out to pull the Patriots closer, trailing 21-17 at halftime.

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After the break, Connor Johnstone extended the Golden Eagles’ lead with a 33-yard field goal. Carson tied the game again with a 1-yard touchdown run late in the third. At 24-24,Carson orchestrated an impressive 10-play, 96-yard drive, culminating in his third rushing touchdown—a 4-yard run—to put the Patriots up 31-24 and punch their ticket to the second round.  

Carson was instrumental for Homewood, completing 10-of-17 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown while rushing 16 times for 97 yards and three scores. Senior running back Evan Ausmer contributed 89 yards on 14 carries.  Newell led the Patriot receiving corps with 93 yards and a touchdown on five catches.

For the Eagles, Gross completed 10-of-21 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown. Edwards accounted for 78 yards on two receptions and rushed for 74 yards on 14 carries. 

The Golden Eagles 2024 campaign comes to a close at 8-3 for the second consecutive season.  Homewood will continue their trek to the Super 7 with a road trip to Fort Payne (9-2) to face the Region 8 champion Wildcats.